Highway commission authorizes speed limit increase on U.S. 63 and U.S. 167

The Arkansas Highway Commission decided in a meeting on Wednesday to increase speed limits on a slew of roads throughout the state including U.S. 167 and U.S. 63 near El Dorado, according to a release from the commission.

Approximately 265 miles of rural four- and five-lane undivided highways were targeted for an increase in speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph.

The determination follows a recent analysis of rural highways. In total, 87 sections were studied in detail, including a review of the design speeds, the 85th percentile speeds, crash rates and proximity to traffic signals and school zones.

According to a map of the proposed speed limit increases, U.S. 63 east of El Dorado and U.S. 167 between El Dorado and Junction City could be bumped up to 60 mph.

“The commission asked us earlier this year to study these rural highways to determine if modifications to the speed limits were warranted,” said AHTD Director Scott Bennett. “Based on a thorough engineering analysis, where safety is always first, we have determined that there are sections of these highways that may warrant a raise in the speed limit.”